News

CW buys The L.A. Complex for U.S. broadcast

American broadcast network The CW has picked up Canadian TV series The L.A. Complex, Bell Media confirmed Tuesday, the same day the new drama premiered on MuchMusic and CTV.

The U.S. network has picked up six existing episodes of the one-hour series, created by Canadian writer-producer Martin Gero and produced by Toronto’s Epitome Pictures, the company behind the Degrassi series.

“We’re very happy The CW has recognized the potential in what we hope is another long-running franchise from our partners at Epitome Pictures,” said Phil King, president of CTV programming and sports in a news release.

The CW has planned the show’s U.S. premiere for later this spring, according to Bell Media.

The series follows a group of 20-something Canadians trying to make it in Hollywood.

The international cast includes Toronto’s Cassie Steele, known for her role as Manny Santos on 10 seasons of Degrassi: The Next Generation. Steele plays Abby, a Toronto girl fighting for Hollywood fame.

The cast also includes Vancouver native Chelan Simmons, known for her roles in Final Destination 3 and Carrie, and Stratford, Ont.’s Joe Dinicol (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Virgin Suicides).

“It’s really exciting, bringing together a lot of young, amazing talent from North America,” said Stephanie Cohen, Epitome’s communications vice-president.